Luciani to Step Down from TraverseCONNECT in Early 2019

Luciani worked with Chamber leadership to reorganize the Chamber under the TraverseCONNECT organization that was launched in 2015. TraverseCONNECT includes the Chamber and the regional economic development organization Venture North Funding & Development, which took over the functions of the Chamber Foundation and the Traverse Bay Economic Development Corp. It also includes a for-profit entity, Traverse Development Inc.

“The Board and I are sorry to see Doug leave,” TraverseCONNECT Board Chair Matt Bulloch said. “But we respect this decision and remain committed to achieving the organization’s long-term goals.”

At the Chamber, Luciani launched several of its best-known events and professional development programs, including the Small Business Celebration, the Economic Forecast Breakfast and Business Expo, the Chamber Ambassador program, the Young Professionals organization now known as FUSE, the Good Morning Traverse City Breakfast series and others. He also bolstered the Chamber’s political advocacy efforts by creating a Director of Government Relations position and helping to create the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance which includes 16 partner and associate chambers across Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.

A native of Hancock, Mich., Luciani received his undergraduate degree from Central Michigan University, and holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He joined the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce in January 2003, replacing long-time Chamber President Hal Van Sumeren. He came to Traverse City after serving as a senior vice president and in other roles for the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce for 12 years.

Luciani was appointed by Gov. Rick Snyder to the Grow Michigan Corporation Board of Directors, and to the Governor’s 21st Century Education Commission. He also serves on the Children’s Leadership Council of Michigan Board of Directors and the West Michigan Policy Forum Board of Directors. Local affiliations include serving on the Munson Medical Center Board of Trustees, the Munson Healthcare Community Health Committee, Networks Northwest Prosperity Board and others. Nationally, he’s the co-chair of the National Advisory Board of the Chambers for Innovation & Clean Energy. He’s provided service in the past to numerous other area organizations, often in leadership positions.

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